Aloe khamiesensis subsp. khamiesensis, Pillans

Klopper, Ronell R., Grace, Olwen M., Klopper, Arrie W., Smith, Gideon F. & Van, Abraham E., 2023, A taxonomic revision of Aloe sect. Purpurascentes (Asphodelaceae subfam. Alooideae), Phytotaxa 628 (1), pp. 1921-1935 : 1921-1935

3a. Aloe khamiesensis subsp. khamiesensis ( Fig. 11 )

Type:—As for A. khamiesensis .

Description:— Usually solitary, arborescent plant up to 2 m high, sometimes forming groups. Stem usually single with only one rosette, sometimes branched from base or about middle, erect, 0.5–2.0 m high, with persistent dried leaves. Leaves densely rosulate, erectly spreading to slightly incurved, dull green, usually with small white spots, more numerous on lower surface, slightly and obscurely lineate, lanceolate-attenuate, ± 40 cm long, 6–8 cm wide at base; margin with pungent, deltoid, reddish brown teeth, 2–3 mm long, 5–10(–14) mm apart; exudate honey-coloured, drying bright yellow. Inflorescence single, 0.6–0.9 m high, erect, 4- to 8-branched from about middle, branches often rebranching and ascending. Peduncle 2–5 cm wide and plano-convex basally; terete upward, reddish brown; without sterile bracts below lowest branch, several ovate-acute sterile bracts below racemes, 20–25 mm long, 20–33(–40) mm wide at base, pale brown, thin, scarious, many-nerved. Racemes long-conical, acuminate, 25–30(–35) cm long, ± 9 cm wide, erect, rather dense; buds erect to spreading, flowers pendulous when open. Floral bracts ovate-acute, sub-amplexicaul, 7–14 mm long, 4–8 mm wide, pinkish brown, thin, scarious, many-nerved. Pedicels (15–) 20–25 mm long, reddish to light orange. Flowers: perianth orange-red with greenish yellow tips, (20–) 30–35 mm long, 6–7 mm across ovary, not or only very slightly narrowed above ovary, slightly widening to 7–8 mm towards middle, slightly narrowing to 4–5 mm towards mouth, cylindric-trigonous; outer segments free to base, tips slightly spreading; stamens with yellow filiform-flattened filaments, exserted 4–9 mm; ovary 6–8 mm long, 3.0– 3.5 mm diameter, green; style yellow, exserted 3–6(–10) mm.

Diagnostic characters:— Aloe khamiesensis subsp. khamiesensis is easily distinguished by its tall, erect stem and repeatedly branched inflorescence. Leaves are dull green and have a few spots particularly on the under surface and is often obscurely lineate, with reddish brown marginal teeth 2–3 mm long. Inflorescences are 4- to 8-branched with buds and flowers orange-red. Flowers are 30–35 mm long. Leaf exudate does not dry purple (dries bright yellow).

Distribution:— Steinkopf to Kamiesberg, Northern Cape, South Africa. Endemic to the Succulent Karoo.

Habitat:— Mountainous country, rocky slopes and outcrops. Almost exclusively on granitoid rocks.

Elevation:— 500–1 400 m

Flowering time:— June–July(–August)

Etymology:— Refers to the Kamiesberg in South Africa, where specimens of the species was first collected.

Additional specimens examined:— SOUTH AFRICA. Northern Cape: Steinkopf, W of Steinkopf towards Anenous Pass , 16 July 2010, R. R . Klopper & A. W . Klopper 371 (KMGgmc, PREgmc) & 372 (NBGgc, PREgc). Steinkopf Area; W of Steinkopf on Port Nolloth Rd. , 30 August 1985, H. F . Glen 1490 ( PRE). O van Anenouspas [ E of Anenous Pass], 21 August 1983, H. J. T . Venter 8842 ( BFLU). Kosies, NW of Steinkopf, 24 July 1937, G. W . Reynolds 2545 ( K, PREm). Steinkopf Dist., Klipfontein , June 1929, H. W. R . Marloth 13262 ( PRE). Namaqualand, Steinkopf, 16 June 1941, J . Jackson NBG 2061 /34 (NBG). W van [ W of] Steinkopf-Port Nolloth, 27 May 1985, R. L . Verhoeven & G. J . Beukes 178 ( BFLU). Little Namaqualand; Springbok Dist. , 5 June 1926, G . Meyer 6857 ( PRE). Springbok, just S of Springbok on Fonteintjie road, 15 July 2010, R. R . Klopper & A. W . Klopper 369 (KMGgmc, PREgmc) & 370 (NBGgmc, PREgmc). Springbok Distr., Okiep , 16August 1925, H. W. R . Marloth 12205 ( PRE). Namaqualand, Kamieskroon , ex hort. June 1932, N. S . Pillans 6665 ( BOL); S of Khamieskroon, 29 July 1937, G. W . Reynolds 2579 ( K, PREm); 14 July 2010, R. R . Klopper & A. W . Klopper 360 (KMGgmc, PREgmc) & 361 (NBGgmc, PREgmc). Klipfontein, ex hort. Kirstenbosch , July 1933, J. W . Mathews BOL20491 , NBG2215 /29 (BOL).

Figures

FIGURE 11. Aloe khamiesensis subsp. khamiesensis. A. Known distribution (red shading). B. Tall plant with unbranched stem. C. Rosette of dull green leaves with a few white spots. D. Plant with branched stem and numerous rosettes. E. Raceme with orange-red, greenish yellow-tipped flowers. Photographs: B, C, E. Marinda Koekemoer (Concordia, Northern Cape, South Africa, July 2013); D. Arrie W. Klopper (Kamieskroon, Northern Cape, South Africa, August 2007).